Man shot in gang brawl dies

File photo / NZ Herald

The man who was shot in the face during a Mongrel Mob brawl last month has died of what police believe are natural causes.

Kelly Ben Gemmell, 39, is understood to have died in Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital where he was flown to after being shot injured in an internal mob dispute.

Wairoa Police Senior Sergeant Tony Bates said Mr Gemmell's death was not suspicious but had been referred for an autopsy. It is believed Mr Gemmell will be brought back to Taihoa Marae in Wairoa after that.

He was one of two men shot during last month's brawl, which police described as a large and violent one.

The fight reportedly broke out following a disagreement over gang leadership.

Mr Gemmell received gunshot pellet wounds to the face and a second man, aged 42, was found the next day with gunshot wounds to his face, head, arm and leg.

Twenty four Wairoa gang members later appeared in Gisborne Court in connection with the fight on a variety of charges, including firearm charges, unlawful assembly, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Only a few were granted bail and about half are still in custody pending hearings.

- NZPA